Adjusting device for a vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns an apparatus for adjusting the vertical and longitudinal position and the inclination of a pivotable seat part ( 2 ) of a vehicle seat ( 1 ) relative to a floor structure ( 4 ) of the vehicle, having a linkage that encompasses a linkage part, constituted by at least one articulated rectangle (ABCD), that has a base (AB), two rockers (BC, AD), and a coupler (CD). The base (B)is arranged in a plane extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal seat axis (X—X).The rockers (BC, AD)are pivotable about rotation axes extending substantially parallel to transverse seat axis. The linkage encompasses two linkage parts, each constituted by at least one articulated rectangle (ABCD;CDEF), that each have a base (AB,CD), two rockers (BC,AD;DE,CF),and a coupler (DC,EF). The base (AB)of the first linkage part is fixed with respect to the floor structure ( 4 )of the vehicle, the coupler (CD)of the first linkage part constitutes the base (CD)of the second linkage part, the coupler (EF)of the second linkage part is fixed with respect to the seat part ( 2 ), and a rocker (DE,CF)of the second linkage part is coupled in constrainedly kinematic fashion to a rocker (AD)of the first linkage part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

Germany Priority Application 200 15 299.8, filed Sep. 5, 2000 includingthe specification, drawings, claims and abstract, is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety. Germany Priority Application 201 01 529.3,filed Jan. 30, 2001 including the specification, drawings, claims andabstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Thisapplication is a National Stage of U.S. Application PCT/EP01/09732,filed Aug. 23, 2001, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns an apparatus for adjusting the vertical andlongitudinal position and the inclination of a pivotable seat part of avehicle seat relative to a floor structure of the vehicle, having alinkage that encompasses a linkage part, constituted by at least onearticulated rectangle, that has a base, two rockers, and a coupler, thebase being arranged in a plane extending substantially parallel to alongitudinal seat axis, and the rockers being pivotable about rotationaxes extending substantially parallel to a transverse seat axis. Theinvention furthermore concerns a vehicle seat having an apparatus ofthis kind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to make possible an optimum seating position in each case forthe various users of a vehicle seat, in particular the drivers of amotor vehicle, adjustment of the vertical and longitudinal position andthe inclination of the vehicle seat relative to the vehicle floor isindispensable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a vehicle coordinate system, there is defined specifically for eachvehicle a curve on which the so-called hip point, related to the humanbody and the seat, can move in order to guarantee optimum conditions interms of grasping the steering wheel, reaching switches, operating thepedals, seeing out the windows, and much more. The hip point is definedby the hip joint, constituted by the pivot point of the upper thigh bonein the pelvic bone. The hip point thus constitutes the point whichdetermines the position of the vehicle occupant in the vehiclecoordinate system when he or she is seated on the vehicle seat. The hippoint and the vehicle seat must be considered in combination, and arecritical in terms of developing a seat adjustment apparatus. Forexample, a heavy person sinks more deeply into a soft seat cushion thandoes a light person, and different degrees of cushion hardness mean thatthe same user sinks to different depths.

The hip point of the vehicle driver should always move on the curve (hippoint path) arranged relative to the vehicle coordinate system. Thiscurve represents the path of the hip point of standard persons (called“percentiles”) commonly used in automotive engineering when thosepersons are positioned optimally in the vehicle. It should be noted thatthe hip point of, for example, a short woman (5th-percentile woman) mustbe positioned toward the front and upward in the woman's viewingdirection (usually also the direction of travel), and the hip point of atall man (95th-percentile man), conversely, toward the back anddownward. A plurality of different hip point paths generate a so-calledhip point field (H-point field) that is arranged around the hip pointpath of the standard persons.

In addition to people's different heights, it is found that each personhas a different shape; in terms of the aforesaid standard persons, thereis a rough division into so-called “seat giants” and “seat dwarfs.”“Seat giants” have a long upper body with short legs; “seat dwarfs,” onthe other hand, have a short upper body with long legs. For most people,therefore, there is necessarily a deviation from the hip point path ofthe standard persons.

Because it is necessary always to position the hip point in the hippoint field, seat adjustment apparatuses such as those disclosed, forexample, in the publications DE 32 22 386 A1, DE 40 10 451 C2, and EP 0445 528 A2 are required.

DE 32 22 386 A1 describes an adjustment apparatus for establishing a hippoint path, in which the height adjustment is implemented by means of aninclined plane. In combination with the inclined plane, the seat can becorrespondingly positioned using the longitudinal adjustment apparatuscarried thereby.

DE 40 10 451 C2 and EP 0 445 528 A2 disclose apparatuses of theaforesaid kind that, for adjustment of the seat position, encompass afour-joint linkage and a displacement apparatus, arranged between thelower seat frame and the vehicle floor, for longitudinal adjustment. Inthese known adjustment apparatuses, adjustment of the longitudinalposition of the vehicle seat relative to the vehicle floor is broughtabout using a guide rail pair having all the known disadvantages, suchas large space requirement, jamming susceptibility, etc.

It is the object of the invention to create an apparatus, and a vehicleseat having an apparatus, for adjusting the vertical and longitudinalposition and the inclination of a vehicle seat relative to the vehiclefloor of the kind cited initially, making possible an adjustment of thevehicle seat without the use of longitudinal guidance rails. Inparticular, positioning of the hip point along an unrestrictedlydefinable travel of at least approximately 200 mm (hip point path) and,in the case of persons deviating from standard dimensions, a correctionof the position of the hip point within a vehicle-specific hip pointfield, are to be possible. The adjustment apparatus is intended to beusable with vehicle seats that can be installed in and removed from thevehicle without tools, by means of special known anchoring devices.

According to the present invention, this is achieved by the fact thatthe linkage encompasses two linkage parts, each constituted by at leastone articulated rectangle, that each have a base, two rockers, and acoupler, the base of the first linkage part being fixed with respect tothe floor structure of the vehicle, the coupler of the first linkagepart constituting the base of the second linkage part, the coupler ofthe second linkage part being fixed with respect to the seat part, and arocker of the second linkage part being coupled in constrainedlykinematic fashion to a rocker of the first linkage part.

By the use of a linkage having the properties recited above, theapparatus according to the present invention can advantageously beembodied so that the seat part travels over a desired pre-settable hippoint path. This path corresponds to a so-called coupling pointtrajectory described by the seat part upon adjustment of the apparatusaccording to the present invention. In particular, all points on theseat part, fixed with respect to the coupler of the second linkage part,of a vehicle seat according to the present invention that contains anapparatus of this kind according to the present invention can, whenviewed in cross section upon adjustment of the first linkage part,preferably upon pivoting of a rocker of the first linkage part, describe

-   -   a closed integral trajectory;    -   a trajectory at least approximately 200 mm in length; and    -   a trajectory that rises, parallel to a longitudinal seat axis,        in the viewing direction of a seat user,    -   i.e. define a desired hip point path with no need for rail        guidance of the seat for that purpose.

By the use of a linkage having the properties recited above, theapparatus according to the present invention can advantageously beembodied so that the seat part travels over a desired pre-settable hippoint path. This path corresponds to a so-called coupling pointtrajectory described by the seat part upon adjustment of the apparatusaccording to the present invention. In particular, all points on theseat part, fixed with respect to the coupler of the second linkage part,of a vehicle seat according to the present invention that contains anapparatus of this kind according to the present invention can, whenviewed in cross section upon adjustment of the first linkage part,preferably upon pivoting of a rocker of the first linkage part, describea closed integral trajectory; a trajectory at least approximately 200 mmin length; and a trajectory that rises, parallel to a longitudinal seataxis, in the viewing direction of a seat user, i.e. define a desired hippoint path with no need for rail guidance of the seat for that purpose.

Further advantageous embodiment features of the invention are containedin the dependent claims and in the description below.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference toseveral preferred exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat, in variouspositions, having a first embodiment of an apparatus according to thepresent invention for adjusting the vertical and longitudinal positionand the inclination of a pivotable seat part;

FIG. 2 is an even more highly schematic side view of a motor vehicleseat according to the present invention having a second embodiment of anapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view, corresponding to FIG. 2, of a motor vehicle seataccording to the present invention having a third embodiment of anapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view, corresponding to FIGS. 2 and 3, of a motor vehicleseat according to the present invention having a fourth embodiment of anapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view, corresponding to the preceding FIGS., of a motorvehicle seat according to the present invention having a fifthembodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view, corresponding to the preceding FIGS., of a motorvehicle seat according to the present invention having a sixthembodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view, corresponding to the preceding FIGS., of a motorvehicle seat according to the present invention having a seventhembodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention.

In the various FIGS., parts that are identical and, in some cases, alsocorrespond to one another are labeled with the same reference charactersand are therefore, as a rule, also each described only once.

As shown firstly in FIG. 1, a motor vehicle seat 1 according to thepresent invention comprises a pivotable seat part 2 and preferably aseatback 3. Motor vehicle seat 1 according to the present invention hasan apparatus according to the present invention for adjusting thevertical and longitudinal position and the inclination of pivotable seatpart 2, which is not labeled further as a whole.

This apparatus has a linkage comprising three linkage parts. A firstlinkage part is constituted by at least one articulated rectangle ABCDand encompasses a base AB, two rockers AD, BC, and a coupler CD. Base ABis arranged in a plane extending substantially parallel to alongitudinal seat axis X—X, and rockers AD, BC are pivotable aboutrotation axes extending substantially parallel to a transverse seataxis. (The transverse seat axis, not depicted, extends perpendicular tolongitudinal seat axis X—X.). Base AB of the first linkage part is fixedwith respect to the vehicle body, in particular with respect to a floorstructure 4 of the vehicle, and preferably is constituted by said floorstructure 4 itself. Advantageously, rails are not necessary for seatadjustment.

In addition to first articulated rectangle ABCD, the linkage encompassesa second linkage part that is also constituted by at least onearticulated rectangle CDEF and has a base CD, two rockers DE, CF, and acoupler EF. As is evident from the drawing, coupler CD of the firstlinkage part is identical to base CD of the second linkage part, whilecoupler EF of the second linkage part is fixed with respect to seat part2 on seat supports 5. A first rocker DE of the second linkage part iscoupled in constrainedly kinematic fashion to a first rocker AD of thefirst linkage part, as will be described in further detail below.Articulated rectangle ABCD of the first linkage part, and articulatedrectangle CDEF of the second linkage part, lie substantially in oneplane. The articulation points of the two linkage parts are the pointsA, B, C, D, E, F evident from the illustrative depiction.

Both first articulated rectangle ABCD and second articulated rectangleCDEF preferably constitute parallelograms, thereby imparting to each ofthem certain advantageous running properties as known to one skilled inthe art from a parallel crank mechanism. For example, with a parallelcrank mechanism it is possible to enlarge or reduce a flat figure toscale. The rectangle sides AD and BC, and ED and CF, of the twoarticulated rectangles ABCD and CDEF are not cranks, however, but (asmentioned) rockers, since these linkage parts cannot describe a completerevolution.

In the interest of good stability and uniform action on seat part 2, thefirst linkage part and second linkage part can preferably each encompasstwo articulated rectangles ABCD, CDEF, each arranged on either side ofthe seat part and each identical; the respective rockers AD, BC and DE,CF (depicted only schematically in the drawings) can be constituted aslever pairs arranged on either side of seat part 2. Correspondingly,couplers CD of the first linkage part and bases CD of the second linkagepart are respectively constituted by coupler bars arranged on eitherside of the seat part.

The constrained kinematic coupling of first rocker DE of second linkagepart to first rocker AD of the first linkage part is implemented by wayof a third linkage part. This third linkage part is embodied as aplanetary gear drive having gears 6, 7, 8, 9, or at least gear segments,meshing in pairs with one another and held together by a peripheralflange, the peripheral flange being constituted by first rocker AD ofthe first linkage part. The third linkage part is embodied as an openexternal gear drive; its gears 6, 7, 8, 9, or at least gear segments,are embodied as spur gears.

The rotation axis of a first gear 6, or at least tooth segment, of thethird linkage part extends through articulation point A, fixed on floorstructure 4, of first rocker AD of the first linkage part on base AB ofthe first linkage part. First gear 6, or at least tooth segment, is atleast nonrotatably fixed with respect to floor structure 4 of thevehicle.

The rotation axis of a second gear 7, or at least tooth segment, of thethird linkage part extends through movable articulation point D of firstrocker AD of the first linkage part on coupler CD of the first linkagepart or base CD of the second linkage part.

A third gear 8, embodied as a pinion - - - i.e. with a smaller diameterthan the other gears 6, 7, 9 - - - meshes with first gear 6, or at leasttooth segment, of the third linkage part, and is arranged coaxially andnonrotatably with respect to a fourth gear 9 that meshes with secondgear 7, or at least tooth segment. For third gear 8, there is embodiedon the first gear or tooth segment an oblong-hole-shaped guide 6 a thatresults in stabilization of the third linkage.

The third linkage part thus encompasses four gears 6, 7, 8, 9 or atleast gear segments, two gears 8, 9 of differing sizes being arrangedcoaxially and nonrotatably with respect to one another, and each ofthese two gears 8, 9 meshing with one of the two remaining gears 6, 7 orat least gear segments.

With regard to the constrained kinematic coupling exhibited by the firstlinkage part and the second linkage part by means of the third linkagepart, it should be explained further that this furthermore results fromthe fact that second gear 7 of the third linkage part is joinednonrotatably to first rocker DE of the second linkage part, so that thelatter is entrained (pivoted) in the rotation direction of gear 7.Rocker DE is, however, movable in the radial direction with respect togear 7. The entrainment is accomplished, as FIG. 1 shows, by way of anentrainment and guidance element 7 a.

For adjustment of the apparatus according to the present invention, arotary drive (not depicted) can be provided for one of the gears,preferably for gear 8 embodied as a pinion. This drive can be embodied,for example, as a stepping mechanism placed centeredly on the rotationaxis of gear 8, or as an electric-motor drive acting on the rotationaxis.

Alternatively, it is also possible to provide directly a pivot drive forfirst rocker AD of the first linkage part, although a locking mechanismis then necessary in order to secure the desired position.

The adjustment apparatus according to the present invention operates asfollows: When gear 8 embodied as a pinion is rotated counter-clockwise(starting at the position of the seat according to the present inventiondepicted with bold lines in FIG. 1), gear 9 joined nonrotatably to itthen causes gear 7, mounted in the end point of first rocker AD of thefirst linkage part, to rotate in a clockwise direction. Simultaneously,first rocker AD of the first linkage part is moved in acounter-clockwise rotational direction (about A), and first rocker DE ofthe second linkage part, which is joined immovably to gear 7 mounted inend point D of first rocker AD of the first linkage part, is movedclockwise (about D). As a result of this motion, coupler EF of thesecond linkage part, which carries seat part 2, is moved in longitudinaldirection X—X of seat 1 and especially in viewing direction R of a seatuser, and simultaneously upward, thereby causing it to occupy theposition shown on the left side of FIG. 1 with thin lines. Conversely,in the case of a motion of gear 8 embodied as a pinion in the oppositedirection, seat part 2 moves into the position depicted on the rightside of FIG. 1 with thin lines, downward and opposite to viewingdirection R of a seat user. Viewing direction R usually corresponds tothe direction of travel of the vehicle, but it is also conceivable, forexample, to position a vehicle seat having an apparatus according to thepresent invention in a vehicle transversely to the direction of travel.

To the extent that seat part 2 is a rigid body, the motion justdescribed and described in the FIGS. is performed by all points on seatpart 2 (viewed in cross section) which is fixed with respect to couplerEF of the second linkage part. A curve of this kind is referred to, inthe context of the linkage parts used, as a coupling point trajectory.The linkage, i.e. the individual constituents of the first through thirdlinkage parts, can advantageously be dimensioned in a mutuallycoordinated fashion in such a way that an adjustment of the firstlinkage part, in particular a pivoting of first rocker AD of the firstlinkage part, results in an integral, closed, preferably loop-freecoupling point trajectory. The dimensioning can additionally be suchthat the coupling point trajectory can describe at least approximately alength of approximately 200 mm and (as depicted) can rise parallel tolongitudinal seat axis X—X in viewing direction R of a seat user. Hippoint path H of a point at a defined distance from the surface of theseat part, also shown schematically in FIG. 1, is then obtained as aline equidistant from said coupling point trajectory.

To ensure that as a variant of the curve described, which can preferablybe designed for the standard persons described initially, a hip pointspectrum (field S in FIG. 1) for persons deviating from the standard(“seat giants,” “seat dwarfs”) can also be implemented, entrainment andguidance element 7 a for rocker DE on second gear 7 can be configured tobe adjustable (pivotable) about point D. This can be achieved, in thesimplest form, by the fact that entrainment and guidance element 7 a isjoined to gear 7 via a catch, an index pin, or another suitable positiveconnection, so that different (discrete) basic positions of entrainmentand guidance element 7 a with respect to gear 7 can be defined. Withthis feature, coupler EF of the second linkage part (and therefore seatpart 2) can be additionally displaced, in which context the end point ofhip point path H is moved, for example, into the lower front region ofhip point field S. The possibility also exists of raising the rear partof seat part 2 if necessary.

A further convenient possibility for implementing hip point spectrum Sof persons deviating from the standard (“seat giants,” “seat dwarfs”)consists in providing a further drive, configured similarly to that ofthe first gear or tooth segment 6 with its oblong-hole guide 6 a, forpinion 8. With this, entrainment and guidance element 7 a can be movedsteplessly about mounting point D in accordance with the needs of theseat user, by manual drive (with a corresponding device to inhibitreturn motion) or by way of an electric-motor pinion drive.

The invention thus opens up adjustment possibilities for vehicle seat 1with a plurality of seat positions of seat part 2 that can be set, andis also suitable for coupling with an adjustment apparatus for seatback3. For example, for adjusting the inclination of seatback 3 anelectric-motor drive can be provided that can be put into operation byway of a manually operated switch.

The apparatus according to the present invention makes possible easy andconvenient adjustment of the vertical and longitudinal position and theinclination of vehicle seat 2 relative to vehicle floor 4, and is usablein vehicle seats that can be installed into and removed from the vehiclewithout tools by means of special known anchoring devices.

The illustrative depictions (FIGS. 2 through 7) of the second throughseventh exemplary embodiments of the invention are even more schematicthan FIG. 1 in that they do not show seat supports 5 and vehicle floorstructure 4. In addition, seat part 2 is extended symbolically at itssurface into an arrow P that points toward hip point field S and hippoint path H that are depicted.

The second exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 2 isconsistent in terms of its configuration with the first exemplaryembodiment. In the interest of a more simply designed embodiment,however, the third linkage part here has only three (not four) gears 6,7, 8 or at least gear segments, one of the gears 8 once again beingembodied as a pinion, i.e. with a smaller diameter than the other gears6, 7, and meshing with the other two gears 6, 7 or at least gearsegments. By way of a corresponding mutual coordination of the toothcount and diameter of the individual gears 6, 7, 8, it is therebypossible to establish an optimized conversion ratio and thus achieve thedesired motion profile.

The third exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 3 isagain consistent in terms of its basic configuration with the first (andthe second) exemplary embodiment. Once again in the interest of a moresimply designed embodiment, here (in contrast to the first twoembodiments) the third linkage part is not embodied as a gear linkage.Instead, it encompasses an additional coupling bar 10 that connectsfirst rocker AD of first articulated rectangle ABCD to second rocker CFof second articulated rectangle CDEF. By this means, in this case theconstrained kinematic coupling is brought about between the first andsecond linkage parts. The articulation points of coupling bar 10 arelabeled in FIG. 3 as G (on the one rocker AD) and I (on the other rockerCF), and are each located approximately in a central region of thelength of rockers AD, CF.

Coupling bar 10, which could also be referred to as coupling member GI,need not extend parallel to base AB and coupler CD of first articulatedrectangle ABCD, just as, in all the embodiments, base AB and coupler CDof first articulated rectangle ABCD need not extend parallel to oneanother. (The same also applies to rockers AD and BC and,correspondingly, to second articulated rectangle CDEF.)

It is understood that for the case in which the first linkage part andsecond linkage part each encompass two articulated rectangles ABCD; CDEFarranged on either side of seat part 2, the respective rockers AD, BC;DE, CF being constituted as lever pairs arranged on either side of seatpart 2, a respective coupling bar 10 of this kind can also be providedon either side.

Since no pinion 8 is provided in this embodiment, another main drive HAmust alternatively be provided, for example (as already mentioned) apivot drive for first rocker AD of the first linkage part. This isindicated in FIG. 3 by the arrow labeled HA.

The fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention (FIG. 4) is alsocharacterized in that in contrast to the first two embodiments, anadvantageous simplification of the apparatus according to the presentinvention is achieved by the fact that what is used as the third linkagepart is not a gear linkage, but (as in the third exemplary embodiment) afurther lever-like coupling member 11. In contrast to the thirdexemplary embodiment, however, this additional coupling member 11 joinsbase AB (articulation point J) of first articulated rectangle ABCD tocoupler CD of first articulated rectangle ABCD and to base CD of secondarticulated rectangle CDEF (articulation point K). It thus acts in thecontext of the desired kinematic coupling, but in fact as an additionalrocker JK. Rocker JK or 11 has a gate 12 that can be joined on the onehand movably on rocker JK in the latter's longitudinal direction, but onthe other hand also rotatably (about a mounting point L) to coupler EFof second articulated rectangle CDEF, by which means a kinematiccoupling can once again be achieved. As in the third exemplaryembodiment, here again a main drive HA must be provided as analternative to pinion 8.

The fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIG. 5 isespecially similar to the second exemplary embodiment in that it has areduced number of gears or tooth segments as compared to the firstexemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, however, only two gears ortooth segments are provided: a pinion 8, and a gear 7 or tooth segment,corresponding to the second gear or tooth segment of the first andsecond embodiments, that meshes with pinion 8.

Once again a rotary drive, such as a stepper mechanism placed centeredlyon the rotation axis of gear 8 or an electric-motor drive acting on therotation axis, can be provided for adjustment of the apparatus accordingto the present invention.

Unlike in the first two embodiments, in this embodiment the larger gear7 or tooth segment is attached rotatably not in articulation point D,but in articulation point C on the scatback side. Pinion 8 possesses arotation point M that is secured on coupler CD of the first linkage part(or base CD of the second linkage part). Rocker BC of the first linkagepart has, as compared to the other embodiments, an extension CC1 leadingbeyond articulation point C that can enclose, in particular with portionBC, an obtuse angle (not labeled further) that opens in viewingdirection R, as shown in FIG. 5. End point C1 of the extension of rockerBC constitutes, in this embodiment, a first articulation point for anadditional coupling member 13 that is articulated at the other end atfront articulation point E of coupler EF of the second linkage part.

By means of a corresponding coordination of the tooth count and diameterof gears 7, 8 with another, and of the length of extension CC1 with thelength of rocker BC, it is thus possible to establish an optimizedconversion ratio and thus achieve the desired motion profile (hip pointpath H).

The sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 has,like the third and fourth embodiments of the invention, no gears. As inthose embodiments, therefore, a main drive HA is necessary; this canpreferably act on a rocker AD of the first linkage part.

The constrained kinematic coupling of the first and second linkage partsis created by way of three lever-like coupling members 14 a, 14 b, 14 cjoined articulatedly to one another. First coupling member 14 a isarticulated at one end on a rocker DE of second articulated rectangleCDEF. The articulation point is located in the central region of rockerDE, and is labeled N in FIG. 6. The articulation point at the other end,at the end of second coupling member 14 b, is indicated by the referencecharacter O; a further articulation point of second coupling member 14 bon a rocker BC of first articulated rectangle ABCD, with the referencecharacter Q; and an articulation point at the other end of secondcoupling member 14 b, at one end of third coupling member 14 c, with thereference character T. Third coupling member 14 c is articulated at itsother end in articulation point B of first articulated rectangle ABCD.

The desired motion profile (hip point path H) is established inoptimized fashion here by way of a corresponding coordination of thelengths of the individual coupling members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c with oneanother and with the lengths of the bases, rockers, and couplers of thetwo articulated rectangles ABCD, CDEF, and by way of the location ofarticulation points N, Q of first and second coupling members 14 a, 14 bon rockers DE and BC. For example, the sum of the lengths of couplingmembers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c is less than the sum of the lengths of couplerCD and rocker BC of the first linkage part, the lengths of theindividual members decreasing in the following order: coupler CD (orbase AB) of the first articulated rectangle (articulated parallelogram)ABCD (greatest length); first coupling member 14 a; rocker BC (or AD) offirst articulated rectangle ABCD; second coupling member 14 b, distanceCQ on rocker BC of first articulated rectangle ABCD; distance OQ onsecond coupling member 14 b; rocker CF (or DE) of second articulatedrectangle (articulated parallelogram) CDEF; distance EN (or ND) onrocker DE of second articulated rectangle CDEF; distance QB on rocker ABof first articulated rectangle ABCD; distance QT on second couplingmember 14 b; third coupling member 14 c (shortest length).

The seventh exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 7 isvery similar to the sixth embodiment of the invention in that it has nogears but once again, for constrained kinematic coupling of the firstand second linkage parts, has three lever-like coupling members 15 a, 15b, 15 c interconnected in articulated fashion. First coupling member 15a is articulated at one end on coupler CD of first articulated rectangle(articulated parallelogram) ABCD or base CD of second articulatedrectangle (articulated parallelogram) CDEF. The articulation point islocated in the seat-back half of distance CD, and is labeled U in FIG.7. The articulation point of first coupling member 15 at the other end,on second coupling member 15 b, is indicated by reference character Vand divides the total length WY of second coupling member 15 b into twopartial lengths VW, VY that are at a ratio of approximately 1:3 to oneanother, one end-located articulation point of second coupling member 15b on a rocker BC of first articulated rectangle ABCD having referencecharacter W, and an articulation point of second coupling member 15 atthe other end, at one end of third coupling member 15 c, beingdesignated Y. Third coupling member 15 c is articulated at its other endin articulation point F of second articulated rectangle CDEF.

The seventh embodiment of the invention has the advantage, compared tothe sixth embodiment, that the lengths of the individual couplingmembers 15 a, 15 b, 15 c can be selected to be (altogether) shorter thanthe lengths of coupling members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c of the sixthembodiment, so that the constrained kinematic coupling of the first andsecond linkage parts can be embodied in a more material-saving fashion.

The desired motion profile (hip point path H) is once again establishedin optimized fashion by correspondingly coordinating the lengths of theindividual coupling members 15 a, 15 b, 15 c with one another and withthe lengths of the bases, rockers, and couplers of the two articulatedrectangles ABCD, CDEF, and with the locations of articulation points U,W of first and second coupling members 14 a, 14 b on coupler CD androcker BC of first articulated rectangle ABCD, and the location ofarticulation point V of first coupling member 15 a on second couplingmember 15 b (partial lengths VW, VY). As in the sixth embodiment, theindividual length and location relationships are evident, to scale, fromthe drawing.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment depicted anddescribed, but rather encompasses all embodiments of similar function asdefined by the invention, for example a geometrical coordination amongthe individual linkage parts that differs from the one evident from thedrawings. For example, as has already been made clear, it is possible,in particular by modifying the inclination of individual members ofarticulated rectangles ABCD, CDEF with one another in their initialpositions, but e.g. also that of base AB of first articulated rectangleABCD with respect to vehicle body structure 4 - - - or also by way of achange in the length of, for example, coupler CD of first articulatedrectangle ABCD which simultaneously also represents the base of secondarticulated rectangle - - - to achieve points in hip point field S thatdo not lie on the line of hip point path H that is depicted.

For example, in the fifth and sixth embodiments of the invention inparticular, points in hip point field S that do not lie on the line ofhip point path H that is depicted can be achieved by configuringcoupling members 13, 14 a to be telescopable and thus adjustable instepped or stepless fashion to a specific desired length.

For example, in the seventh embodiment of the invention in particular,points in hip point field S that do not lie on the line of hip pointpath H that is depicted can be achieved by the fact that articulationpoints U, V of first coupling member 15 a on coupler CD of firstarticulated rectangle ABCD and on second coupling member 15 b can beconfigured to be securable, in stepped or stepless fashion, in differentpositions. This can in turn be implemented, for example, by means of anindex pin, by way of a catch or another positive connection in variousdiscrete basic positions, or steplessly by guidance and clamping orthread-joining of the bearing pins defining articulation points U, V ina groove of coupler CD or of coupling member 15 b.

It is important, however, that the constrained kinematic couplingdescribed above be retained in each case, this being understood to meanthat the members thereby coupled execute motions that are unequivocallyassociated with one another.

The invention is moreover so far not to be limited to the combination offeatures disclosed in the specification, but rather can also be definedby any other desired combination of specific features of all of thetotality of the disclosed individual features. This means thatessentially practically an individual feature can be omitted or replacedby at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere.

1. An apparatus for adjusting the vertical and longitudinal position andthe inclination of a pivotable seat part (2) of a vehicle seat (1)relative to a floor structure (4) of the vehicle, the apparatus having alinkage that comprises: a linkage part having at least one articulatedrectangle (ABCD), that has a base (AB), two rockers (BC, AD), and acoupler (CD), the base (AB) being arranged in a plane extendingsubstantially parallel to a longitudinal seat axis (X—X), and the tworockers (BC, AD) being pivotable about rotation axes extendingsubstantially parallel to a transverse seat axis; and wherein thelinkage part comprises two linkage parts, each comprising at least onearticulated rectangle (ABCD; CDEF), that each have a base (AB; CD), tworockers (BC, AD; DE, CF), and a coupler (CD; EF), the base (AB) of thefirst linkage part adapted to be fixed with respect to the floorstructure (4) of the vehicle, the coupler (CD) of the first linkage partincluding the base (CD) of the second linkage part, the coupler (EF) ofthe second linkage part being fixed with respect to the seat part (2),and one of said rockers (DE, CF) of the second linkage part beingcoupled in constrained kinematic fashion to the rocker (AD) of the firstlinkage part.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein thearticulated rectangle (ABCD) of the first linkage part comprises aparallelogram.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein thearticulated rectangle (CDEF) of the second linkage part comprises aparallelogram.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein thearticulated rectangle (ABCD) of the first linkage part and thearticulated rectangle (CDEF) of the second linkage part liesubstantially in one plane.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein the base (AB) of the first linkage part is constituted by thefloor structure (4) of the vehicle.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim1, wherein the first linkage part and the second linkage part eachencompass two articulated rectangles (ABCD; CDEF) arranged on eitherside of the seat part (2), the respective rockers (AD, BC; DE, CF) beingconstituted as lever pairs arranged on either side of the seat part (2).7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the coupler (CD) of thefirst linkage part and the base (CD) of the second linkage part arerespectively constituted by coupler bars arranged on either side of theseat part (2).
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein theconstrained kinematic coupling of the rocker (DE, CF) of the secondlinkage part with the rocker (AD) of the first linkage part isaccomplished via a third linkage part.
 9. The apparatus as defined inclaim 1, wherein the linkage further comprises a third linkage part thatis embodied as a gear linkage.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein the linkage further comprises a third linkage part comprising aplanetary gear drive having gear segments (6, 7, 8, 9), meshing with oneanother in pairs and held together by a peripheral flange, and whereinthe peripheral flange comprises the rocker (AD) of the first linkagepart.
 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the third linkagepart comprises at least two gear segments (7, 8), the gear segment (8)having a smaller diameter than the gear segment (7), and meshing withthe gear segment (7), and the gear segment (8) being secured inrotationally movable fashion on the coupler (CD) of the firstarticulated rectangle (ABCD), and the gear segment (7) aligned in acommon articulation point (C) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD)and the second articulated rectangle (CDEF), and the rocker (BC) of thefirst articulated rectangle (ABCD) having an angled lever extension(CC1) having an end (C1) and a lever-like coupling member (13)articulated at an articulation point (E) of the coupler (EF) of thesecond articulated rectangle (CDEF).
 12. The apparatus as defined inclaim 10, wherein the third linkage part is embodied as an open externallinkage.
 13. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the gearsegments are embodied as spur gears.
 14. The apparatus as defined inclaim 8, wherein the third linkage part comprises at least three gears(6, 7, 8), the gear (8) being embodied as a pinion gear with a smallerdiameter than the other gears (6, 7) and meshing with the other twogears (6, 7).
 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the thirdlinkage part comprises four gears (6, 7, 8, 9), wherein two gears (8, 9)of the four gears (6,7,8,9) are of differing size, are arrangedcoaxially and nonrotatably with respect to one another, and each ofthese two gears (8, 9) mesh with one of the other two gears (6, 7). 16.The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein a rotation axis of one ofthe two gears (6, 7) of the third linkage part extends through a fixedarticulation point (A) and a movable articulation point (C) of one ofthe rockers (AD, BC) of the first linkage part.
 17. The apparatus asdefined in claim 10, wherein one of the gear segments is fixednonrotatably with respect to the floor structure (4) of the vehicle. 18.The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein one of the gears comprisesa pinion with a smaller diameter than the other gears (6, 7, 9), andmeshes with the one of the other gears (6) of the third linkage part andis arranged coaxially and nonrotatably with respect to the gear (9),which in turn meshes with the gear (7).
 19. The apparatus as defined inclaim 13, wherein one of the gears (6, 7, 8, 9) comprises a piniondrivable by way of a rotary drive.
 20. The apparatus as defined in claim14, wherein the gear (8) comprises a pinion guided in an oblong-holeguide (6 a) on the gear (6).
 21. The apparatus as defined in claim 19,wherein the rotary drive is embodied as a stepping mechanism placedconcentric onto a rotation axis of the pinion.
 22. The apparatus asdefined in claim 19, wherein the rotary drive is embodied as anelectric-motor drive acting on a rotation axis of one of the gears (6,7, 8, 9).
 23. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising apivot drive (HA) connected to the rocker (AD) of the first linkage part.24. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein a gear (7) of the thirdlinkage part is joined nonrotatably, via a part (7 a), to the rocker(DE) of the second linkage part.
 25. The apparatus as defined in claim24, wherein the part (7 a) is an entrainment and guidance part (7 a) andis pivotable on the gear (7) about an articulation point (D) of therocker (DE) of the second linkage part, and is fixable with respect tothe gear (7) that is joined nonrotatably to the rocker (DE) of thesecond linkage part.
 26. The apparatus as defined in claim 24, whereinthe part (7 a) is an entrainment and guidance part (7 a) and is fixablewith respect to the gear (7) by an index pin.
 27. The apparatus asdefined in claim 24, wherein the part (7 a) is an entrainment andguidance part (7 a) and is steplessly adjustable with respect to thegear (7) by an electric-motor pinion drive, and is fixable by aninhibiting device.
 28. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein thelinkage comprises a third linkage part comprising at least one levercoupling member (10, 11, 13, 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 15 a, 15 b, 15 c). 29.The apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein the coupling member (10,11) is embodied as a coupling bar (10, GI) that joins the rocker (AD) ofthe first articulated rectangle (ABCD) to the rocker (CF) of the secondarticulated rectangle (CDEF).
 30. The apparatus as defined in claim 28,wherein the coupling member (10, 11) is embodied as a rocker (11, JK)that joins the base (AB) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD) tothe base (CD) of the second articulated rectangle (CDEF).
 31. Theapparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein the rocker (11, JK) has a gate(12) movable on the rocker (11, JK) and joined rotatably about at leastone mounting point (L), to the coupler (EF) of the second articulatedrectangle (CDEF).
 32. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein thelinkage comprises a third linkage part that comprises three levercoupling members (14 a, 14 b, 14 c; 15 a, 15 b, 15 c) joinedarticulatedly to one another.
 33. The apparatus as defined in claim 32,wherein the coupling member (14 a) is adapted to be telescopable. 34.The apparatus as defined in claim 32, wherein the coupling member (14 a)is articulated in rotationally movable fashion to one of the (DE, CF) ofthe second articulated rectangle (CDEF).
 35. The apparatus as defined inclaim 32, wherein at least one of the coupling members (13, 14 b, 14 c,15 b) is articulated in rotationally movable fashion on the rocker (BC)of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD).
 36. The apparatus as definedin claim 32, wherein at least one of the coupling members (14 c, 15 c)is articulated in rotationally movable fashion in an articulation point(E, B, F) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD) or of the secondarticulated rectangle (CDEF).
 37. The apparatus as defined in claim 32,wherein at least one of the coupling members (15 a) is articulated inrotationally movable fashion in an articulation point (U) on the coupler(CD) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD).
 38. The apparatus asdefined in claims 32, wherein at least one articulation point (U, V) ofone of the coupling members (15 a) is fixable in various discrete orungraduated basic positions with respect to one of at least one member(CD) of at least one of the articulated rectangles (ABCD, CDEF) or withrespect to at least one further coupling member (15 b).
 39. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein all points on the seat part (2)fixed with respect to the coupler (EF) of the second linkage partdescribe, when viewed in cross section, upon adjustment of the firstlinkage part and in particular upon pivoting of the rocker (AD) of thefirst linkage part, an integral, closed, loop-free, coupling-pointtrajectory.
 40. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the linkageis adapted such that all points on the seat part (2) that are fixed withrespect to the coupler (EF) of the second linkage part describe, whenviewed in cross section, upon adjustment of the first linkage part andupon pivoting of the first rocker (AD) of the first linkage part, acoupling-point trajectory of at least 200 mm in length.
 41. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the linkage is adapted suchthat all points on the seat part (2) that are fixed with respect to thecoupler (EF) of the second linkage part describe, when viewed in crosssection, upon adjustment of the first linkage part and upon pivoting ofthe rocker (AD) of the first linkage part, parallel to a longitudinalseat axis (X—X), a coupling-point trajectory that rises in a viewingdirection (R) of a seat user.
 42. A vehicle seat, in particular a motorvehicle seat (1), having an apparatus for adjusting the vertical andlongitudinal position and the inclination of a pivotable seat part (2)relative to a floor structure (4), as defined in claim
 1. 43. Thevehicle seat as defined in claim 42, wherein the pivotable seat part (2)is joined to a seatback (3) arranged pivotably with respect to the seatpart (2).